DJ Mustard has had a successful summer, but is he able to sustain longevity over a decade?

If you heard any of this summer’s hit singles such as Trey Songz’s “Na Na,” Tinashe’s “2 On,” Kid Ink’s “Main Chick,” and T.I.’s “No Medicore,” then you are already acquainted with the other side of 24-year old Dijon McFarlane-DJ Mustard.

DJ Mustard’s recent EP, 10 Summers, dropped merely weeks ago; he was even able to release the album a day early for free. “A lot of people respect what I’m doing. I was excited to see the people’s reaction to what I've been working on for 9 months,” states Mustard when asked about album reviews.

The reason for this flexibility and control is due to Jay-Z record label, Roc Nation. Mustard mentions in an interview with Examiner.com, “They’re open to what I want to do as a producer and as an artist. They were there for me when I needed to ask questions. It is the perfect place for me to be.”

The executive producer on YG’s studio album My Krazy Life, this young DJ keeps the crowd hyped with constant club bangers.

Coming from similar backgrounds-YG from Compton and DJ Mustard from South Central- the two bonded over beats and rhymes years ago. They also shared another commonality: growing up in a heavy gang culture. When asked if today’s rap music influence gangbanging, DJ Mustard answered matter-of-factly, “Hell yeah. Of course.”

“YG raps gangsta. He makes good songs about having fun too. But everything he’s saying it’s real, he raps about his life,” he continues.

DJ Mustard is right. And while he has a right to celebrate his summer’s success, DJ Mustard is also aware of society’s recent setbacks. Discussing the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO, DJ Mustard had this to say, “I feel like that s--- is crazy. I don’t feel like everyone should react to violence though. Because it’s only going to be tit for tat, you know?”

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Cymone Davis is a freelance writer, media scholar, and hip-hop specialist. Completing her degree at Texas A&M University with a master’s in communication and with an emphasis in media studies, she writes about hip-hop and Black popular culture. Cymone is currently finishing her first book, “Don’t Judge a Man by the Color of his Rag: The Reality and Resistance of Gangsta Rap Among LA Gang Members.”
Contact Cymone at onlyonecymone@gmail.com Twitter: @OnlyoneCymone Instagram: @OnlyoneCymone